Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported dramatic preliminary results from two patients in a prostate cancer trial. Both patients were diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that was initially considered inoperable. They participated in a phase II clinical trial of the investigational drug ipilimumab. The two men underwent androgen ablation therapy followed by a single dose of ipilimumab.

The Mayo Clinic researchers found that both patients experienced a drop in their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and a significant reduction in their tumor sizes. The researchers then opted to proceed with prostate cancer surgery. Surprisingly, when the researchers sent tissue samples from the operations for analysis, pathologists had difficulty finding any cancer cells. Post-operatively, one of the patients was treated with radiation therapy. Now, during regular follow-up visits at the Mayo Clinic, both men remain cancer-free.

Since these dramatic results come from only two patients, they need to validated in further, larger studies. Plans are underway for extended trials at the Mayo Clinic to confirm the efficacy of ipilimumab and determine the optimal dosage for therapy.

Source:

Discovery’s Edge, Mayo Clinic’s Online Research Magazine, accessed June 27, 2009.